Slotted disc forming and assembling apparatus



1968 W. T. KENNYv JR. ETAL 33 3 SLOTTED DISC FORMING AND ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 14, 1966 v v 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE/V TORS 0. 6. STETKA B) MAR/V a JA/VGARA THIS A TTORNEY W. 7? KEN/V), JR. 7

Jan. 2, 1968 w. T, KENNY, JR. ETAL 3,360,839

SLOTTED DISC FORMING AND ASSEMBLING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14, 1966 2,-1968 w. T. KENNY, JR." ETAL 3,360,839

SLOTTED DISC FORMING AND ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 14, 1 966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 3,360,839 SLOTTED DISC FORMING AND ASSEMBLING APPARATUS William Thomas Kenny, Jr., Hamilton Square, and Daniel George Stetka, Hopewell Township, Mercer County, N.J., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 527,277 Claims. (CI. 29-33) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for forming slotted, insulating and spacing discs from a length of tubing, and for assembling such discs at uniformly spaced intervals on a central conductor utilized in making coaxial cable.

This invention relates in general to apparatus for forming slotted discs from a length of tubing and for assembling such discs on an elongated member, and more particularly, to apparatus for forming slotted, insulating and spacing discs from a length of tubing, and for assembling such discs at uniformly spaced intervals on a central conductor utilized in making coaxial cable.

Coaxial cables, as is well known to the cable art, are comprised of a central conductor and a tubular outer conductor which is held away from and maintained coaxially of the central conductor by means of wafer-like spacing and insulating discs. The discs surround the central conductor and engage the inner surface of the tubular outer conductor.

Typically, cables are made by the steps of forming annular insulating and spacing discs, forming a radial slot in such discs, forcing such slotted discs onto the central conductor at uniformly spaced intervals, and then forming the tubular outer conductor over the discs in any suitable manner.

In the past, the disc forming, slotting and assembly with the central conductor, has been generally done in at least two distinct manufacturing operations, and by at least two distinct sets of apparatus. Typically, the first set of apparatus forms the annular discs, and the second set of apparatus assembles the discs onto the central conductor; the discs being slotted radially by either the first or second set of apparatus, both such slotting methods being known to the prior art. The discs are transferred between such sets o-fapparatus either manually or my a mechanical conveyor.

The apparatus of the present invention accomplishes the functions of both such above-mentioned two sets of apparatus, with a new and unique single unitary structure. Such structure accomplishes disc forming, radial slotting, and assembly onto the central conductor, in one continuous and unbroken operation, thereby achieving a saving of manufacturing time, eliminating the need to transfer discs between sets of apparatus, and minimizing and simplifying the structure required for such disc forming, slotting and disc-conductor assembly operations.

Furthermore, where a transfer operation between sets of apparatus is required, the always possible difiiculty presented by the occasionally missing disc, can cause measurable loss of production time, particularly, when the discs are assembled onto the central conductor in tandem with other manufacturing operations, such as an extrusion process. If a disc is missing, the entire ca'ble making process must be stopped while the missing disc is replaced and, of course, it is impractical and highly undesira-ble to stop an extrusion process in order to replace a missing disc.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to ice provide new and improved apparatus for forming slotted discs and for assembling such discs onto an elongated member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for forming radially slotted discs from a length of tubing, and for assembling the radially slotted discs onto a moving elongated cylindrical member.

A further object of the present invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for forming radially slotted discs from a length of tubing and for rapidly assembling such discs onto a longitudinally moving conductor at uniformly spaced intervals.

Apparatus, according to the present invention, for forming slotted discs and for assembling such discs onto an elongated member, may include means for cutting successive sections of a length of tubing into annular discs, means for cutting radial slots in the annular discs, and means for maintaining the annular discs in alignment during the radial slotting and for forcing the slotted discs onto the elongated member.

Also, in the past, various structures have been devised for forming discs from successive lengths of tubing. Such structures involve, generally, one or more circular members which support blades engageable with successive lengths of the tubing to cut the tubing into discs. Typically, the blades are supported such that a disc cut thereby, is formed such that the walls of the disc are oblique with, rather than perpendicular to, the rounded edge of the disc. Such malformed disc, when assembled into a coaxial cable, resides in a plane oblique with the axes of both the central and outer conductors, rather than in a plane perpendicular to the axes of both the central and outer conductors. The perpendicular disc orientation provides the greater mechanical strength and would be more likely to retain the initial disc orientation during extended cable life. Obviously, forming of the discs such that the walls are perpendicular to the rounded edges, facilitates the attainment of the desired perpendicular disc orientation.

Acordingly, it is a still further object of the present invention, to provide new and improved apparatus for forming discs from lengths of tubing, such that the walls of the discs are perpendicular to the rounded edges.

A further feature of the present invention is the new and unique angular positionment of a plurality of blades for cutting successive portions of a length of tubing into discs, such that the blades are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tubing at approximately the moment the blades pass through the tubing.

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof when read in conjunc tion with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a specific embodiment of the present invention, showing a conductor, onto which slotted discs are to be assembled, moving tangentially of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the lines 22 of FIG. 3, in the direction of the arrows, with some parts being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines of 3-3 of FIG. 1, in the direction of the arrows, and showing Various structural details of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2, in the direction of the arrows, and showing in detail the operation of the disc keepers;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, similar to- FIG. 3, and showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a member for forming a radial slot in the annular discs and for spreading the slotted discs to facilitate assembly of the discs onto a moving conductor.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown a base plate which supports side mounting plates 12 and 14 in spaced parallel relationship. Side mounting plates 12 and 14 are provided with aligned apertures 16 and 18 (FIG. 3), and side mounting plate 14 is also provided with apertures 20 and 22.

Extending through the apertures 16 and 1%, and suitably journaled therein, is a shaft 24. Surrounding the shaft 24, and suitably secured thereto, are a gear 26 and a drive belt pulley 28. Also surrounding the shaft 24, and also suitably secured thereto, is a collar '30 formed integrally with a circular blade wheel 32.

Shafts 34 and 36 extend through the apertures 26 and 22, respectively, and are suitably journaled therein. Surrounding the shafts 34 and 36, and suitably secured thereto, are gears 38 and 40, respectively. Gears 26, 38 and 4d are enmeshed into the gear train shown in FIG. 3.

Surrounding the end of shaft 36, opposite the end to which the gear 40 is secured, is a collar 42 formed integrally with a capstan 44; collar 42 being secured suitably to the shaft 36.

Rotative motion is imparted to the apparatus by the drive belt pulley 28 which, in operation, would be connected by a drive belt (not shown) to a suitable source of rotative power, such as a motor (not shown).

Capstan 44, as best seen in FIG. 2, is provided around its periphery with a plurality 'of peripheral slots 46, which slots are defined by successive pairs of radially formed teeth 48.

A plurality of equally spaced, sharp, outwardly projecting blades 50, are secured fixedly to the circular blade wheel 32 around the periphery thereof. The blades 50 are also secured to an annular member 52 having an outer diameter equal to the diameter of the blade wheel 32.

The blades 50, it will be noted from FIG. 2, are supported at predetermined angles with respect to the radii of the blade wheel 32; the reason for such angular positionment being set forth infra.

The circular members, blade wheel 32 and annular member 52, as best seen in FIG. 3, are positioned on either side of the capstan 44, and comprise a circular wheel indicated by the general numerical designation 54, which wheel surrounds the capstan and supports the blades 50 across the capstan. The wheel 54, rotatable with the shaft 24, is said to be mounted eccentrically of the capstan 44, the capstan being rotatable with the shaft 36.

The dimensions of the capstan 44 and wheel 54, and the distance between the shafts 24 and 36, are chosen such that when the capstan andwheel are rotated in unison, and at relative predetermined speeds (determined by the ratio of the gears 26, 38 and 40), successive blades 50are moved into intermeshing relationship with successive peripheral slots 46 formed around the periphery of the capstan 44, as may be best seen in FIG. 2.

A moving conductor 58, FIGS. 1 and 2, is fed forward longitudinally in synchronism with the rotative motion imparted to the capstan 44 and wheel 54, and passes the capstan and wheel substantially tangentially of the area where the blades 50 intermesh with the radial slots 46.

Referring again to the blade wheel 32 and the annular member 52, and in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3, the blade wheel and annular member are provided with a plurality of pairs of slots 6062 formed transversely of the blade wheel and annular member, and in the planes of the blades 50. A pair of thin, co-operating disc keepers 64-66 reside slidably in each pair of slots 69-62, for reciprocating endwise movement toward and away from each other in the plane of a blade 50, and for rotation with the blade wheel 32 and annular member 52. The pairs of disc keepers 6466 are provided with slots 68 and 70, respectively, which slots receive in sliding relationship, the periphery of stationary guide plates 74 and 76, respectively.

The stationary guide plates 74 and 76, as best seen in FIG. 3, are secured to the side mounting plates 12 and 14, respectively, by support clips and 82. As shown in FIG. 3, the peripheries of the guide plates are contoured to provide cam-like surfaces for moving the cooperating disc keepers, of each pair of disc keepers, toward and away from each other. The guide plates 74 and 76 are so oriented with respect to the capstan 44 and wheel 54, that the cam-like peripheries of the guide plates normally maintain the disc keepers, of each pair of disc keepers, in their innermost positions as shown in FIG. 4. However, when each pair of disc keepers is carried by the wheel 54 to substantially the topmost position, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e., the point where the moving conductor 58 passes substantially tangentially of the wheel, the lCElIIllike peripheries of the guide plates cam the disc keepers outwardly, away from each other, to their outermost positions as shown in FIG. 3. Shortly after each pair of disc keepers is carried by the wheel 54 beyond the topmost position, the cam-like surfaces of the guide plates again cam the disc keepers inwardly, toward each other, into their innermost positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, successive lengths of tubing 84 are fed forward in synchronism with the movement of the capstan 44, wheel 54 and conductor 58, from a suitable supply (not shown) through an aperture 86 formed in the guide plate 76, and over and partially around a roller 88 supported by a roller support 89 secured to the inner side of the guide plate 76 by suitable fasteners, as shown. The tubing 84 is then fed upwardly around a portion of the radial teeth 48, and between the teeth 48 and the blades 50 carried by the wheel 54.

The tubing is comprised 'of some suitable electrical insulating material, which material is readily sectionable into annular discs by blades 50.

A stationary knife member 90, FIGS. 4 and 6, is mounted atop the side mounting plates 12 and 14, and secured thereto by an inverted U-shaped mounting clip 92; the mounting clip being secured to the side mounting plates, for example, by threaded fasteners 96 and 98, FIG. 3. The knife member is positioned substantially tangentially of the capstan 44 and wheel 54, and partially in the path of the advancing tubing 34. The underside 'of the member 90 is formed into a blade, tapering from a narrow knife edge portion 94, at its rear, to a rounded portion 96 at its front. The top of the member 90 is formed into an apertured guide for guiding the conductor 58, and for maintaining the conductor in predetermined tangential relationship with the capstan 44 and wheel 54.

Operation A brief statement of the operation of the above described embodirnent will now be set forth to further describe and explain the present invention.

It will be assumed that the above-described structure and tubing occupy the positions shown in the abovereferred to figures. Suitable power is applied to impart predetermined, relative rotation to the capstan 44 and wheel 54, and synchronized longitudinal movement to the conductor 58.

Upon rotation of the capstan 44 and wheel 54, successive blades 50 engage successive lengths of the tubing 84, and carry successive lengths of the tubing around a portion of the slotted periphery of the rotating capstan, as best seen in FIG. 2. Successive blades 50, upon continued rotation of the capstan 44 and wheel 54, begin to move into enmeshing relationship with the peripheral slots 46 underlying the tubing, and hence, begin to cut into the tubing. Further rotation of the capstan and wheel brings the blades into full enmeshing relationship with the radial slots, to the maximum depth of penetration, such as when a blade 50 occupies the topmost position shown in FIG. 2, and hence, causes successive blades 50 to pass completely transversely of the path of the tubing 84, thereby cutting successive lengths of the tubing into uniformly sized annular discs.

The blades 50, as mentioned above, are supported at a predetermined angle with respect to the radii of the blade wheel 32. The angle is predetermined such that at the times the blades 50 cut through the tubing 84, the blades will be substantially radially aligned with the axis of rotation of the capstan 44, and hence, substantially perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the tubing. Thus, the tubing will be cut into uniformly sized annular discs with the walls of the annular discs, which walls are defined by the cutting path of the blades 50, being substantially perpendicular to the rounded edge of the annular disc.

The stationary knife member 90, referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, is mounted partially in the path of the advancing tubing 84, and is positioned such that the knife edge portion 94 engages the tubing, after the blades 50 have begun their cutting action, and cuts a radial slot in the tubing to the depth of the central bore of the tubing, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Thus, when the blades 50 completed their transverse cutting action, the knife edge 94 will have formed a radial slot in the annular discs. Upon continued advancement of the tubing 84, now sectioned into annular discs, the rounded portion 96 of the member 90 engages the radial slot formed by the knife edge 94, and spreads the radially slotted annular discs apart to facilitate the assembling of the annular discs onto the moving conductor 58.

The pairs of disc keepers 64-66, as stated above, rotate with the wheel 54, and as also stated above, each pair of disc keepers is mounted for reciprocating, slidable movement under the control of the cam-like peripheries of the guide discs 74 and 76, in the plane of an associated blade 50. Thus, after the associated blade 50 has begun its transverse cutting action, the inwardly positioned pair of associated disc keepers 64-66 are moved into the transverse cut formed in the tubing by the associated blade 50, it being recalled that the disc keepers are thin members, and their width is such that the disc keepers are insertable into the cut formed by a blade 50. When the associated blade 50 has completed its transverse cutting action, the disc keepers have been moved into the cut positions shown in FIG. 4, at which time (now relating FIG. 4 to FIG. 2), the disc keepers are forcing the radially slotted, and spread apart, annular discs onto the moving conductor 58.

The cam-like peripheries of the guide plates 74 and 76, as mentioned above, are so contoured that upon further rotation of the disc keepers by the wheel 54, past the top-most position shown in FIG. 2, the guide plates cam the disc keepers outwardly away from each other so as to release the disc keepers from engagement from the annular discs after they have been assembled onto the moving conductor 58.

It will be further appreciated, from viewing FIG. 2, that the disc keepers also assist in forcing the annular discs into engagement with the knife member 90 to accomplish the radial slotting of the annular discs.

The speed of rotation of the wheel 54 and the speed of longitudinal movement of the conduct-or 53, are related such that the annular discs will be assembled onto the conductor at predetermined and uniformly spaced intervals, as shown in FIG. 2. The material comprising the annular discs is sufiiciently elastic and resilient, and the diameter of the central bore of the tubing 84 is re lated to the diameter of the conductor 58, such that after the annular discs have been forced onto the moving conductor, and become free of the apparatus, the radially slotted discs attempt to return to their original circumferential dimension, and in so doing, frictionally grip the conductor 58 with the bores of the discs substantially surrounding the conductor 58, as shown in FIG. 3. The frictional gripping is sufiicient to reasonably insure that the annular discs retain the relative spacing during subsequent cable forming operations.

Alternate embodiment An alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, partly in section, in FIG. 5, wherein the structure, identical with the structure of the previously described embodiment, is designated by identical numerical designations.

In the alternate embodiment, the wheel 54 is comprised of two annular members 102 and 104, suitably supported vertically, and against lateral movement, by suitable members not shown. The annular members are provided with internally formed gear surfaces 106 and 108, respectively, and drive gear, or pinion, engages both gear surfaces 106 and 108, and imparts simultaneous rotation to the annular members upon rotation of the shaft 112, to which shaft the pinion is suitably secured. The shaft 112 extends through, and is suitably journaled therein, apertures 114 and 116 formed in mounting plates 118 and 120, respectively. A gear 122 surrounding the shaft 112, and suitably secured thereto, is enmeshed with an intermediate gear 124, which gear is suitably secured to, and surrounds, a shaft 126 extending through, and suitably journaled in, an aperture 128 formed in the mounting plate 120.

The annular members 102 and 104, comprising the wheel 54, are positioned respectively on each side of the capstan 44, which is suitably secured toa shaft 36. The shaft 36 is suitably journaled in, and extends through, an aperture 130 formed in mounting plate 118. Also surrounding the shaft 36, and suitably secured thereto, is a gear 132 enmeshed with an intermediate gear 134 which, in turn, surrounds and is suitably secured to, a shaft 136. The shaft 136 extends through an aperture 140 formed in the mounting plate 118. 7

Intermediate gears 124 and 134 are enmeshed with a main gear 142 which surrounds, and is suitably secured to, one end of a shaft 114 extending through, and suitably journaled in, an aperture 146 formed in the mounting plate 120. Secured to the other end of the shaft 144, is a bevel gear 150 which is enmeshed with another bevel gear 152. The bevel gear 152 surrounds, and is suitably secured to, the drive shaft of a motor 156, which motor is suitably secured to the mounting plate 120.

Energization of the motor 156, transmits rotative power to the capstan 44 and wheel 54 through the above-described gearing arrangement. The gearing is chosen such that the desired relative, pre-determined speeds of rotation are imparted to the capstan and wheel.

It will be understood, that the capstan 44 and wheel 54 would be provided with the identical, or substantially the same, structures as were provided for the capstan and wheel of the first described embodiment, viz., guide discs 74 and 76, pairs of disc keepers 64-66, and in particular, it Will be understood that the annular members 102 and 104 would support the blades 50, at a predetermined angle, across the capstan 44. Further, the operation of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 5 is identical to, or substantially the same as, the operation of the first described embodiment, in performing the above-described annular disc formation, radial slotting, and assembly with the moving conductor 58.

It will be further understood, that the above-described and shown embodiments are merely descriptive of the present invention, and that many modifications and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forming slotted discs from a length of tubing and for assembling such discs onto an elongated member which comprises:

means for cutting successive sections of a length of tubing into annular discs,

means for cutting radial slots in said annular discs, and

means for maintaining said annular discs in alignment during said radial slotting and for forcing said slotted discs onto said elongated member.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cutting means include a plurality of blades mounted so as to be substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tubing at approximately the moment the blades pass through the tubing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said radial slotting means includes a knife having a tapered blade for cutting radial slots in said annular discs and for expanding the radial slots to facilitate the forcing of the slotted discs onto the elongated member.

4. Apparatus for forming radially slotted discs from a length of tubing and for assembling the slotted discs onto a moving elongated cylindrical member, which comprises:

a rotatable capstan provided with a plurality of peripheral slots;

a rotatable circular wheel mounted eccentrically of and surrounding the capstan;

a plurality of blades supported by the wheel across the capstan, and engageable with and movable transversely of the tubing into enmeshing relationship with the peripheral slots to cut the tubing into annular discs;

a knife mounted adjacent the capstan and wheel, and engageable with the annular discs to form a radial slot therein; and

a plurality of disc keepers mounted on the wheel for maintaining the annular discs in alignment with the knife and for facilitating the forcing of the slotted discs onto the elongated cylindrical member.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said plurality of blades are supported on said wheel at angles such that said blades are substantially aligned radially with said capstan at approximately the time the blades pass completely transversely of said tubing.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said knife is mounted stationarily and partially in the path of said discs and provided with a tapering blade for expanding the radial slot to facilitate forcing the radially slotted discs onto said cylindrical member.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said disc keepers include a pair of thin members mounted for sliding reciprocating movement on said wheel in the plane of each blade.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said wheel includes two rotatable, generally circular members, positioned on each side of said capstan with said plurality of blades secured thereto and spanning the distance therebetween.

9. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said wheel includes a pair of rotatable annular hoops positioned on opposite sides of said capstan and for supporting said plurality of blades therebetween and across said capstan.

. 10. Apparatus for forming radially slotted discs from a length of tubing and for assembling such discs onto a longitudinally moving conductor, which comprises:

a capstan mounted for rotation and having a plurality of slots formed around the periphery;

a rotatable wheel, including a pair of circular members positioned on opposite sides of said capstan, and mounted for rotation eccentrically of said capstan;

a plurality of blades secured to and extending between said circular members across said capstan;

successive blades of said plurality of blades, upon rotation of said capstan and said wheel in unison and at respective predetermined speeds, (i) engageable with successive lengths of said tubing to carry successive length of said tubing around a portion of the slotted periphery of said capstan, and (ii) movable transversely of said successive lengths of tubing into enmeshing relationship with said peripheral slots, underlying said tubing, to cut successive portions of said tubing into annular discs of uniform size;

said plurality of blades secured to and extending between said circular member at angles such that said blades are substantially radially aligned with the axis of said capstan at approximately the times said blades cut through said tubing;

a knife mounted stationarily and partially in the path of said annular discs and engageable therewith to cut radial slots therein;

said knife provided with a tapering blade and a rounded portion for spreading the radially slotted discs apart to facilitate the forcing of said radially slotted discs onto said conductor;

said capstan and said wheel positioned adjacent said conductor such that said conductor passes the capstan and wheel substantially tangentially of the area where said plurality of blades are enmenshed with said peripheral slots;

a plurality of pairs of thin, co-operating disc keepers mounted on said wheel and for maintaining said annular discs in alignment during said radial slotting by said knife, and for assisting in the forcing of said slotted discs onto said conductor at uniformly spaced intervals;

each pair of said disc keepers comprised of a pair of thin members mounted for slidable movement transverse of said circular members in the plane of one of said blades, and in opposed reciprocating relationship; and

a guide plate positioned on the outer side of each circular member and in engagement with said pairs of thin members, and upon rotation of said wheel, for providing said reciprocating movement to said thin members to move said pairs of thin members transversely of the path of said slotted discs and partially into the cuts made by said plurality of blades.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,355,832 8/1944 Wagner 2933.9 2,355,833 8/1944 Bertalan 2933.9 2,404,782 7/ 1946 Bertalan 29-33.9 2,426,623 9/ 1947 Larsen 29-339 2,515,486 7/1950 Bertalan 2933.9 2,515,487 7/1950 Bertalan 2933.9 2,694,849 11/ 1954 Douchet 29-339 1,082,331 12/1913 Hopkins et al. 2,544,280 3/ 1951 Sabine.

- 2,579,468 12/1951 Brillhart.

2,579,487 12/ 1951 Frankwich.

RICHARD H. EANES, JR., Primary Examiner. 

